Sporting Fingal 0 - 0 Dundalk

League leaders Dundalk remain two points clear at the top of the eircom League of Ireland First Division table after taking a well deserved scoreless draw away from title rivals Sporting Fingal last Friday night. With both sides cancelling each other out, there was little in the way of clear-cut chances in this Morton Stadium encounter. However, when Dundalk’s defence was breached, in either half, goalkeeper Chris Bennion twice came out on top in one-on-one battles as he once again proved his side’s saviour.

The visitors started well and could have broken the deadlock before Fingal found a chance out of nothing midway through the opening period. Ex-Lilywhite striker Robbie Doyle was put through on goal, however, with just Bennion to beat, the division’s joint-top scorer was denied by a fantastic save as the ‘keeper dived full-length to push the ball behind. Dundalk too had their chances, but with twenty minutes remaining, the hosts should have been in front. Peter Hynes broke the offside trap, however, Bennion again darted from his line to block a goal-bound effort.

For the short trip south, manager John Gill made two changes to the side that defeated Wexford Youths 1-0 at Oriel Park the previous Thursday. Goal hero from that game, young striker Tiarnán Mulvenna had to be content with a place on the bench, as new signing Dessie Baker made his full club debut. Doing likewise was left winger Derek Doyle, as he came in for Davie O’Connor, who got a wisdom tooth taken out just hours before kick-off. Elsewhere, Dundalk were unchanged. Fingal, for their part, had ex-Lilywhites Chris Deans, Fiachra McArdle, Peter Hynes and Robbie Doyle in their starting XI. Another, Brian Morrisroe, later entered from the bench.

Following a quiet opening to the game - the only note being Derek Doyle’s yellow card in the first fifteen seconds - two chances were shared just past the quarter-hour. Firstly, Dundalk threatened, as a good move involving Paul Shiels and David Crawley saw the latter crossing for John Flanagan, whose diving header was well gathered by Fingal’s debutant on-loan goalkeeper, Brendan Clarke. Moments later, Peter Hynes tried his luck from just inside the opposition half, however, with netminder Chris Bennion well beaten, the ball narrowly went over the visitors’ crossbar.

Just over midway through the half, Fingal again came close as they threatened twice within the space of sixty seconds. Robbie Doyle broke in behind the Dundalk defence, however, he was denied by Bennion, who had to go full stretch to push the ball away. From the resultant corner, the home side again came close, however, Paul Caffrey’s free header from ten-yards was gathered on the line. On the stroke of half-time, it was the turn of the Lilywhites to venture forward. A flowing move ended with Derek Doyle left with only Clarke to pass, however, his wayward effort mattered little as he was adjudged to have been narrowly offside.

Following the interval, clear chances were again scarce. Moments after the restart, Caffrey’s free was headed well over by Hynes, before, on the hour-mark, Ben Whelehan was denied at the other end as he failed narrowly to get his head to a Crawley corner. Seconds later, Whelehan turned provider for Dessie Baker, however, the striker was flagged for offside when clear on goal, in what appeared to be a tight call. Then, on 70 minutes, came the best opening of the game, as Fingal should have hit the front. Hynes narrowly beat the offside trap, however, with only Bennion between him and goal, the Fingal attacker saw his shot blocked brilliantly by the Scottish ‘keeper.

That proved to be the hosts’ last chance of the match, and they could have been left rueing it even more had Dundalk found the net with their late burst forward. Good interplay between four players - Tiarnán Mulvenna, Trevor Vaughan, David Cassidy and Jamie Duffy - concluded with the latter duo combining to engineer a clear shot on goal. However, Duffy’s first time effort from a Cassidy cross flew wide of Clarke’s right-hand post. In the end, the result will be welcomed by Dundalk, who can now shoot five points clear at the top if they defeat second-placed Waterford United in their next league outing on 21 August.

Sporting Fingal: Brendan Clarke; Derek Tyrell, Chris Deans, Barry Ferguson, John Frost; Conan Byrne, Paul Caffrey, Colm James (Aidan Collins 90), Fiachra McArdle (Brian Morrisroe 70); Peter Hynes (Paul Byrne 81), Robbie Doyle.
Subs not used: Steve Williams (GK), Brian Gannon.

Booked: Frost (21), Deans (54).

Dundalk: Chris Bennion; John Flanagan, Ian Ryan, Ben Whelehan, David Crawley; David Cassidy, Paul Shiels, Paul Crowley, Derek Doyle (Jamie Duffy 73); Dessie Baker (Tiarnán Mulvenna 77), Trevor Vaughan.
Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Paul Marney, Simon Kelly.

Booked: D Doyle (1).

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).

Attendance: 1,062